Wine is a very unique and fascinating substance. Unlike almost every other type of consumable material, it only gets better with age. Most wines continue to improve for a number of years after they are bottled, and many of them can improve up to and past their one hundredth birthday. With the exception of honey, there is no other food that can claim to even last that long, much less get better with time.

It follows, then, that storing and aging wine are important issues for wine lovers. Keeping wine storage conditions at the proper levels can ensure that your wines continue to improve in the way that they were meant to, until you are ready to uncork and enjoy them.

Wine storage is a very popular hobby for many people, but for others it's more than a hobby. It is a way of life and an obsession. For a select few who are very fortunate, wine is an occupation, a way to put food on the table and a successful business. For these people especially, wine storage conditions can be essential parts of life that must receive careful attention.

The Right Wine Storage Conditions Don't Change with the Type of Wine

For the professional and the amateur alike, wine storage conditions remain the same: a cool, constant temperature, controlled humidity, absence of direct light, and a calm and quiet place for the liquid to rest and age comfortably. The temperature range for serving wines varies depending on the type of wine, but storage temperatures should always fall between 56 and 58 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity is an issue that confuses many wine lovers. Some think that the perfect wine storage conditions include a very low level of humidity – however, wine should be stored at 70% relative humidity or higher. This level of humidity prevents the cork from shrinking and allowing air to enter the bottles. If you have ever tasted wine that was very acidic, this was probably the result of oxygen getting into the bottle and turning the wine into acid.

The angle that your bottles of wine sit at is another very important issue. The premium wine storage conditions involve the corks being kept in full contact with the wine inside at all times, meaning that the bottles should be slightly tilted toward the cork.

If you are confused by wine storage conditions and want more information, many vineyards and wine shops offer classes or at least information that will help you get started storing wine in the best conditions that you can provide.